New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-10
BRIBES TO BRITISH OFFICIALS.

Explicit deniaS are furDl he'd III our cablc
dispatches Of the charge that the American
Government has been trallicking in the honor
of British officials. Mr.. White Commander
| Chadwick and others connected with the
American Embassy are loud in their procSta
tons of ignorance Of the transactions which
have resulted in the dismissal of foreman and
draughtsman from the Construction Depart
ment of the Admiralty. The dismissal of these
officials indicates that there is proof Of their
trcachery in betraying the Governments Sc
crets in some quarter. Unfortunately there Is
also proof that the American Government has
solicited such betrayals Of trust. Whatever
may he the truth or falsity of the charges in
this particular instance, it is nevertheless true
that Secretary Whitney has appealed TO the
cupidity of naval designers in foreign service.
The official circular printed last wear in the
London journals a. an advertisement invited
naval constructors steam engineers and ord
nance officers of the navy to furnish designs
for vessels of war, and Offered a prize OF
$15,O 900 and further bid for working draw
ings. 1t was duplicate of the advertisement
printed in this country, but when it was read
in London Officers Of the navy" was inter
preted naturally as meaning officers of the
British Navy" whereas in this country it had
meant officers Of the American Navy" The
inference was very plain that the United States
Navy Department was soliciting designs, work
ing drawings, etc, from English naval officers
and was apparently offering n reward Of
$50 900 for a betrayal Of trust.
This subject was brought into unpleasant
prominence last winter when John Ward
Dumbarton shpbulder, referred in an address
at GreenOck TO the advertisements Of the
United States Government in the London
press as an impudent attempt to bribc the
officials of the British Navy. He expressed
astonishment that foreign Government should
deliberately attempt TO market upon the in
telligence and morals OF the Queens service by
Offering a reward of $4,000 Tor breach of
confidence. Commander Chadwick. the naval
attache of the United States Legation ut Lon
don. wrote in reply foolish letter in which he
accused Mr.. Ward of dcfaming British officials
To this the shpbuilder responded that the adj
yertisements spoke for themselves. and OK
posed the American Government TO the charge
Of seeking 10 undermine the official integrity
Of public servants in England Commander
Chadwick then saw fit TO explain that Score
tary Whitney had not invited designs from any
naval officers except those connected with his
own Department. Mr.. Ward considered this
specious defence. He could not understand
why Secretary Whitney. if he desired TO in
tcrcst American naval officers in this SUBJECT.
should advertise for designs in the London and
Paris papers and refer inqurcrs to tho Ameri-
can Legations in those capitals. II British and
French officers were excluded from the com
petition, he asked why was no. the fact
stated : He plainly considered that he had
only done his duty in warning the Admiraltys
designers and engineers against the brides OF
foreign Government in search Of ideas
Commander Chadwick never found it con
vcnient 10 answer these incislyc questions
although he expressed his contempt for "irrc-
sponsible newspaper talk which he could
only regard as a sort of insanity now so rife
in France. where one cannot carry sketch
book without risk of inconvenience with any
thing sketched it it less innocent than a COW.
As he was so reluctant TO make a straight
forward explanation in that case, it is hardly
reasonable to suppose that he has succeeded
In generating the American Government in
The present instance when il has been accused
Of trailicling with the officials dismissed from
the Chatham Navy Yard. Evidently some
thing less innocent than a cow has been
skctched and sold. Secretary Whitney would
letter go to the helpless commanders rescue.
What is the meaning of all this fooling with
the Queens Navee7 Why were the advcr-
tisements inserted in tho London journals
How much money has been expended in Eng
land for designs Have British officials been
bribed to sell working drawings or anything
else to the agents of the United States Navy
Information on all these points will be CRATE
fully received.